Gungnir DS vs Bifrost Multi Bit

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by JoshMorr, Oct 20, 2015.

  1. JoshMorr

    JoshMorr Friend

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    In the market for a decent DAC - under $1k. I am newer to headphone audiophelia, but am fairly well read and been into HIFI audio systems for a while. Currently running HD650's through a PS Audio Sprout (yuck) as a amp and DAC. Currently building a Bottlehead crack, so looking for something to compliment it well. All of my music is hi res computer files, so a DAC is an important component to get right.

    From a value stand point been looking at Schiit DAC's. Now, I understand multi-bit is the greatest thing since the on switch, but am trying to get opinions on the warm tube amp and warmer bifrost combo. When does warm become congested?

    The chart of awesomeness put the multifrost ahead of the gungnir Delta sigma, but shouldn't the Gungnir be the superior DAC due to the Schiit price ladder? Has anyone done any comparisons between the two? Is Multibit just that much better than any other type of architecture?
     
  2. Original Ken

    Original Ken Friend

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    With the Gungnir DS you are paying for Balanced Outputs and all the additional circuitry required. If you are planning on running your HD650s balanced through a balanced amp, then that is reasonable. Otherwise the Multibit Bifrost should be superior.

    The Multibit Bifrost is not at all warm in the sense of frequency response emphasis, at least not to my hearing. I doubt that any DACs deviate from flat frequency response in anywhere near the amount that some headphones do and possibly some amps do.

    And "warm" IMHO refers to a frequency balance, while "congested" refers to an inability to handle a lot of input at the same time.(just the same way that the I-450 cannot handle all the cars that want to go home, and so becomes "congested").
     
  3. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    For the chart, I wouldn't make too much of minor position differences. Just because Gungnir DS is one step below Multifrost doesn't mean Multifrost beats it in every aspect. Gungnir DS still has better slam, precision, and control over Multifrost. Multifrost has more warmth and thicker bass, but it's not as impactful or precise as Gungnir DS. Multifrost also has more expansive and deeper soundstage and smoother sound. Gungnir DS still has a slight bit of DS signature. The warmer tone of Multifrost could be make or break depending upon preferences and synergies.
     
  4. JewBear

    JewBear Almost "Made"

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    Speaking of warmer tone, do you reckon that paired with a liquid carbon would be too warm?
     
  5. Negatron

    Negatron New

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    Hmmm, this is exactly what I want to find out now as I've been offer both a Bifrost Multibit and a Gungnir ds at the same price... To feed a liquid carbon... What you you boys choose?
     
  6. JoshMorr

    JoshMorr Friend

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    I forgot where, but purrin said he preferred the gungnir ds over the Bifrost Multibit.

    I would say with price being equal, go for the gungnir as you can upgrade later multibit
     
  7. Negatron

    Negatron New

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    Thanks JoshMorr, to make matters a bit more complex. I've just discovered the gungnir on offer is slightly older stock, with the Gen 1 USB...
     
  8. JoshMorr

    JoshMorr Friend

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    OK - do you plan on running balanced amps? If not Bifrost Multibit is a great dac. I think the differences are very very small, with Bifrost Multibit being a touch warmer. Since original post I bought the bifrost multi and decided to sell it to put more funds towards turntable setup.
    Viva la analog.
     
  9. Negatron

    Negatron New

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    Yes, am hoping for balanced, the LC has balanced inputs and my headphones came with both bal and SE cables so am hoping to run end to end balanced...

    also in my head have figured that the Bifrost Multibit is at the top of its evolution now, where as the G has the potential to go Multibit... leaning towards that right now...
     
  10. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    Gungnir and upgrade to multibit later. Or just use what you have and save for Gungnir Multibit.

    I mean, the LC is a great little transportable but it definitely won't resolve what you get out of the Gungnir Multibit. If you're thinking of keeping that amp forever, I'd suggest looking downstream with regard to your DAC purchase.
     
  11. Koth Ganesh

    Koth Ganesh Friend

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    Oh that is a tad too warm. I can attest to this since I have this set up in my office. Use the Fostex TH X00 to boot. Real boombox but man it wakes you up with good rock music, for example Deep Purple
     
    Last edited: Feb 20, 2016
  12. Negatron

    Negatron New

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    Well lads, a third player has entered the arena! I've been also offered a geek pulse infinity (top of the line, fancy pants version) at the same price.


    And I have to decide in the next few hours without auditioning them... Save me sbaf! Which should I get?
     
  13. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    Wait what? Multibit bifrost, old gen 1 gungnir, or pulse infinity?

    Get the latter and get a cheap LPS like the jay's LPS. Awesome DS DAC. Wouldn't take it over Gungnir Multibit but I would over the bifrost multibit.

    Edit: I am connected to LH but my advice comes from owning a pulse infinity + LPS, a Vi DAC and a Gungnir Multibit. Auditioned the multibit bifrost and didn't like it.
     
    Last edited: Feb 20, 2016
  14. Negatron

    Negatron New

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    Yep, those are exactly my choices
    1) multibit bifrost 1k aud
    2) D. S Gungnir w usb v1 - 950 aud
    3) G. O pulse infinity for 1.1k aud

    So prices are close enough to call the same.

    All this is to drive a Liquid Carbon +lcd-xc in balanced mode
    Heck there 's even a Metrum Octave Mk 2 for 900 if I want it but i' ve ruled it due to its usb being the older bus powered one.

    So it's on one vote for the geek pulse.
     
  15. JoshMorr

    JoshMorr Friend

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    Gungnir gets my vote. All depends on type of setup though. Pulse infinity with smaller amp makes a great portable option. Bifrost Multibit \ medium sided amp (valhalla - lyr - liquid carbon) makes great small desktop. Gungnir gives you upgrade ability and highest upside, but at cost of largest form factor.
     
  16. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    Are you keeping this forever or upgrading? Same with amp. It makes a large difference. What headphones?

    V1 USB is old. You'd have to upgrade both to MB (unsure if they have a service center in Australia) and USB to realize the potential.
     
  17. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    Are you thinking that GOV2? The Pulse isn't really portable, especially if you add an LPS. Then again, people talk about the Liquid Carbon as portable...
     
  18. JoshMorr

    JoshMorr Friend

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    You're 100% right - was thinking of smaller Geek Out. My bad!
     
  19. Negatron

    Negatron New

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    a quick update guys, i decided on the Geek pulse and the nice man came by to drop it off, and when we tested it it couldn't be detected by the PC!

    after a lot of testing we called off the deal, he's since gone home and confirmed the unit is acting up and he will need to contact Lh labs to figure out what's wrong...

    oh well, back to the hunt... unless someone finds me a cheap Gungnir Multibit!
     
  20. trung225

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    Which connection did you try? From what I know from my Pulse, if you use SPDIF input, you still need USB connection to make handshake with the computer, after that you can switch to SPDIF input by the front control and disconnect the usb cable.
    If you connect via USB port from the computer, make sure that your computer have enough bus power for DAC to make a handshake. USB port from computer by default have an option "allow computer to turn off this device to save power", make sure that you disable it when connect with the Pulse.
    This is the guide for you to do this: Control Panel > Device Manager > Universal Serial Bus Controller > choose every Generic USB Hub or USB Root Hub > right click > choose Power Managerment and disable this option.
    This is my experience with my Pulse (with both my PC and laptop), until now it's working for me without any problem.
     

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